My plan to get hammered last night didn't quite go as planned. See, I have this curious allergy to alcoholic beverages. I can usually imbibe enough to get a decent buzz on before the reaction kicks in, but once I reach a certain threshold, I begin to sneeze. Not one sneeze, or two, or even eight. I usually sneeze about a hundred and fifty times in ( Read more... )

Well, it's official… I have just descended to the lowest rung on the "Loserdom" ladder. For the first time in my entire life, I am spending Christmas alone. I have spent many a New Year's Eve alone since David died, but that was always by choice and without regret, since I view it as the most overrated holiday of the year (along with Valentine's ( Read more... )

There's a hazy moon hanging low and sleepy on this magnificent autumn evening. It almost appears to be backlit in the most dramatic fashion. This photo was obviously an error, and yet I rather like it. Eerie and keen, just like this evening's moon.

( Read more... )

Kids started back to school early this year, presumably in anticipation of this winter's possible snow days. Driving to work each morning I pass the same groups of kids waiting at their respective bus stops, and remember when we were young 'uns engaged in the same activity. We quickly nicknamed the regular drivers that would pass by us each day. ( Read more... )

Prior to Memorial Day I had purchased a few potted plants to place on my parents' graves, along with a large hanging arrangement of pink double impatiens that were very beautiful - the blossoms looked like miniature roses. It was a rather expensive undertaking, but I felt it was worth it ( Read more... )

Last night I had two very intriguing dreams -- both were intensely vivid and enjoyable ( Read more... )

I passed the state licensing exam this morning, so I am now officially an insurance producer (agent) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was the final hurdle I needed to surmount to ensure my position at MetLife (licensing must be effected within the first ninety days of employment, or you're out). It is certainly a relief to get this piece of ( Read more... )

It was another enjoyable commute home tonight, listening to WCAP AM 980 out of Lowell, Massachusetts . . . specifically, live talk featuring Regina Fatacanti and John McDonough, replete with their outrageous accents. Here's a sampling:

John: It's wicked hot today ( Read more... )

Nearly a week and a half into my new career at Metropolitan Life, and my head is awash with insurance terms and policies as we (I and the three other new-hires as my cohorts) ready ourselves for the state licensing exam, to be taken on Monday the 26th. Terms such as proximate cause, facultative, moral hazard, morale hazard, and subrogation are ( Read more... )

Yesterday I spent a breathtakingly beautiful day in Boston with the sibs and my brother-in-law. The main purpose of our visit was to attend the matinee performance of Mamma Mia. This is the third time that both my straight brother and sister have seen this show, and, after hearing them speak in raptuous tones about it for over a year, I finally ( Read more... )